Polarized Sunglasses 2024

jcrazy reply :

I'm interested in buyin some Polarized sunglasses. What brands have worked for you? and does plastic or glass polarized sunglasses work better?

KU_Bassmaster. reply :

I have had Bolle, H20 Optics, Oakley, and Coasta del Mar glasses.

My favorites by far are the Costa del Mars

Shad_Master reply :

I wear prescription glasses so I found Fit-Overs and have been wearing them the last couple of years. They work pretty good, but the plastic lenses have gotten pretty jacked up with water spots. I can't seem to get them out. In responding to this post, if you have suggestions for "fit over" style sunglasses, I would appreciate it as well. For you guys who don't were prescription glasses, I have heard some awsome endorsements for Solar Bats from guys in my local club.

albiechaser reply :

I go thru em big time, I do alot of saltwater and stream fishing,

every oct before my week of salmon fishing I get 2 new pairs, ( this year is my 25th year) nothing like a 35lb salmon on the end of your flyrod.

I would buy cheep ones if you fish alot. then you dont have to worry about them to much. see ebay.

For cloudy days I only use amber, BIG HELP

http://amos.indiana.edu/library/scripts/sunglasses.html

sunny days I go to my dark ones,

have a great day

Bass_junky reply :

I have tried Oakley's, Coasta Del mars, and various others. My favorite is Coasta Del Mars ( with the exchangable lenses - amber-vermillion-grey). However I did buy an extra pair to keep on the boat, Solar Bats. For 18 bucks A Wally world. A co-angler forgot his on my last tourney and I let him borrow them. He was very pleased with them.

playmaker47 reply :

i dont fish without my polarized glasses. period. they not only protect your eyes from the light that bounces off the water, but they definatly let you see things that you normally couldnt.

heres what i do that you may or may not choose to do but i get a pair from cabelas that is only 20 or 30 bucks. they let you see just as good as the expensiver pairs, they just dont last very long. and also if you would lose them overboard or somthing it isnt a huge loss. with the price you could spend on a 200 dollar pair of glasses or so you could get 8 or so of these cheaper glasses, so as they wear out i just get a new pair.

it works for me but do what you want to do

KU_Bassmaster. reply :

Did you mean "buy some cheap ones if you don't fish alot"?

There was an article in Bassmaster magazine and I was told by an eye doctor that not all polarized sunglasses are created equal. My doctor gave me some huge long scientific explanation that I didn't understand, but it can be summarized into something this: Cheap sunglasses are only coated with a polarized film over th lens. Quality polarized sunglasses actually have the lenses polarized which I guess ain' easy to do therefore the high price. The cheap ones film gets warn off very very quickly and eventually you will have no UV protection. So when you are wearing a a pair of sunglasses opens your pupil wide open, kind of like being in a dark room. A cheap pair of sunlasses will allow harmful UV rays reflected off the water (2 to 3 times stronger) directly into your eye. While a pair of quality glasses will block nearly 100% of UV rays. Those cheap sunglasses that claim they block 100% of UV rays is impossible according to this doctor. So if we as fishermen spend spend thousands of dollars on boats, rods, reels, and tackle.........why not spend $100-$200 to save your sight? I also justify spendng that much on a pair of sunglasses beause I wear them everyday while driving.

jcrazy reply :

which Coasta del Mar glasses would you guys recommend, i fish everyday, lakes, ponds, rivers, so they'll be bein used all the time in bright conditions

Redtail reply :

I just got a pair of Luminator polarized sunglasses. I saw them advertised on TV and took a chance. There are incredible - I had a pair of $15.00 ones and they were useless. These are $39.95 plus shipping. I was amazed how nice they are. You can also try them for 6 weeks and send them back if you don't like them. www.myluminator.com

Nick reply :

I would go with the Costa del Mars also. I wouldn't want to recommend a pair because everyone has different opinions on styles. One's head shape alo allows for different fit. Try to get those that do srap around your face petty snugly, but beware because a tighter fit also causes fogging problems. Personally, I like amber lenses for all around use. In low light and clouds they perform well, but others will recommend green or gray. You get what you pay for. If you are a pretty careful individual who can find his wallet and keys, and wristwatch and cell phone, I'd get a high quality pair.

roadwarrior reply :

Hey Nick!

That was a pretty clever way to put it. My wife can't find her keys unless she's driving, her phone unless she's on it and heaven forbid, she thinks I might know where she left her purse!

No Costa del Mar for her.

earthworm77 reply :

I also like Costa Del Mar's the best. I really do not wear the glasses as much as I should but those are the ones I use.

Siebert Outdoors reply :

I have a pair of coasta del mars that I really like. To me a good pair of glasses is a must.

piranha reply :

Some of you guys indicated that you get a new cheap pair when they "wear out". What do you mean, wear out? I have never worn a pair out, only lost them or did something accidentally stupid that scratced the lenses.

I'd hate to pay $200 and have the glasses wear out.

FYI - I just bought two of the cheap pairs from Walmart this week...$8.95 each. I knew they were crap but I needed them and did't have the money for anything else. I tried all the different brands and got the ones that felt the most comfortable. Wore them for 7 hours the next day and was amazed at how comfortable they were. They were also my first amber pair and I was very impressed with what I was able to see in the cloudy conditions. They helped me catch several fish that I would not have seen without polarized glasses, and possibly without the amber lenses.

Polarized lenses are a must!!! Regular lenses actually make it harder to see the fish.

And KU is right, protect those eyes! You only get one pair.

KU_Bassmaster. reply :

From what I understand, cheap polarized sunglasses only have a polarized film over the lens. That film looses it's polarization fairly quickly. While quality glasses actually have the lens polarized which I guess is kind of difficult and pricey to do.......therefore you get the higher price. Well worth it IMO.

Nick is right about recommending a pair. If you are going to spend some bucks on a pair of good sunglasses, be sure that they fit around your face right. The glasses that work for me might be uncomfortable to you or vice versa. I really don't think you can go wrong with any of the Costa del Mar prouduct line.

SCg reply :

You should look into getting some Kaenons...the Kore model are probably the best pair of all around sunglasses (I have the medium size with Copper 28 lense- very versatile with varying light conditions)...lenses are clearer than polycarbonate lenses, wrap around design eliminates glare and wind, lenses have a water sheeting layer, extremely lighweight and comfortable ( forget that you are actually wearing sunglasses), rubber temple and nosepads keeps the glasses in place, top of the glasses are curved higher so sweat from your eyebrows will not bead and run down the glasses, 2 layers of polarization, the back of the arms curve down so they don't interfere with wearing a hat, etc...I can go on and on about these. I am a very big fan of sunglasses and know alot about them. I have worn everything from Oakleys, Maui Jims, H2Optics, to Serengetis and the Kore outshines them all in functionality and performance on the water. Go to www.kaenon.com for more info. Apparently, alot of the pro anglers are endorsing these and I don't blame them. However, I have not tried the Costa Del Mars but eventually will since I have heard good things about them. Everybody's finances and preferences differ, but my advice is to buy the best pair that you can afford...your eyes will thank you and your time on the water will be more enjoyable. Glass lenses are clearer than plastic lenses, but the caviat is that they are heavier. If you are fishing freshwater, buy copper or amber lenses...it will give you better color contrast, depth perception, and sharper details which helps when sightfishing. Grey lenses are suited really well for saltwater fishing and the color spectrum of the ocean. In any case, when buying sunglasses, keep in mind some of the things mentioned above and if the glasses will satisfy the purposes that fit your needs.

albiechaser reply :

in my case, they do wear out on me, the salt water and sand, eats em up big time. frame screws rust, spots that dont come off the lens, scratches, fish slime. you name it, mine get a beating,

i spend about 30.00 for them most of the time.

not enough for me to worry about it.

plus its nice to get new ones every year,

I have about 20 pairs here laying around.

you want em? lol

boiler_animal374 reply :

I agree with piranha those cheap wal mart brand classes have always been pleanty good enough for me. go through a couple pairs a year but have not had a prob with the polarization wearing out(sorry KU Bassmaster). I usually try to buy the lightest tinted pair they have. It has sort of a light grey lens... seems like all the other colors throw kind of a funky color on the the water that just doesnt look natural. The brand name on those is Renegade and they are $9.95. The ones labeled smaller fit seem to fit me a lot better but pick a set that best suits you... dont be afraid to take them out of the box and try em on cause in my experience the wrong color lens can be distracting. Good luck and "tight lines"

Nick_Barr reply :

I cant afford $200 Sunglasses but $20 SolarBat Sunglasses at Wal-Mart are great, I like Amber Lenses. I go through about 2 pair a season, But with KU's facts i am thinking abou getting some better ones.

KU_Bassmaster. reply :

I am just passing along the info an eye doctor told me who claimed to be a fisherman himself. Whether it's true or not.......... I guess I should believe him......... that's his area of expertise afterall. He was more concerned about cheap pairs of sunglasses ability to block UV rays than actually take the glare off the water. That is what's so harmful and we can't see them with the naked eye.

adolan reply :

i used to fish with the "cheap" rapala glasses, but then i bought a pair of blue waters, man what a difference i could see twice the amount of stuff that i could see with my rapalas. there is an greeny coloured lense in them that really helps you see the weeds. i got them for around 100 bucks canadian.

Rattlinrogue reply :

I don't feel the need to dole out $ 200.00 for a pair of sunglasses.If you are so inclined and can afford it,more power to you .I'm catching plenty of fish wearing $ 7.99 Strike King sunglasses from Walmart.

Sam reply :

I wear prescription sunglasses. They are in heavy frames but they are super.

Also will use the snap on lens.

Hate wearing contact lens when fishing. Had too many problems with them so only wear glasses.

Glenn reply :

I have a small head (size 7 hat), so most standard glasses are too big for me (the sun gets in through the sides). I now have a couple of Hobie glasses and really like them (http://bassresource.com/bass_fishing_123/hobie_05.html). They have different sizes/models for a variety of preferences. The Onofre model fits me like it was made for me. My wife amber Jay Yelas model and loves them on cloudy/rainy days. They come with an outstanding carrying case too.

Also, I have a few LureEyes glasses and like how light they are. They're almost as good as the Hobie. They also come in different sizes and have a model that fits me well (Blazer). http://site.lureeyes.com

CBedo reply :

I'm the opposite of Glen. I have a huge nugget, 7 3/4 hat size (proof of no correlation between brainpower and head size), so most glasses are way to small on my fat face . I had a pair of Action Optics glasses forever that were top notch, but after seven years of duty, they were retired this year and replaced with a pair of Solar Bats. These things are awesome.

I bought the model that you can take off the side rails and replace them with a goggle strap, and a foam insert to pull it close to your face. It is awesome for sight fishing when you want no light in under the glasses. The glasses are super light, almost seeming "cheap" when you first pick them up, but after you put them on they are super comfortable, and you forget they are on. I went with the mossback green colored lens this time instead of the orange I have had before, and so far, I love it.

New Bass Man reply :

We just had an interesting story on our local NBC4 station about cheap sunglasses. Here's the link.

http://www.nbc4.com/money/4795178/detail.html

Enjoy!

Max-in-Mn reply :

I have auto adjusting glasses that I use for both hunting and fishing. I spent $300 on them but I have had them for nearly 8 years now, very well worth it. I don't screw around with the sun so spending alot on glasses does not bother me. I would rather not, but mother nature makes that call :-/

SBM-RL reply :

i have some cheap ones from walmart but i think i might get some costa del mars or oakleys real soon

atoms reply :

I wear bolle's.

I love the frames and the lenses are great.

I wear shades from thier "metals" line and they are ROCK SOLID.

guest reply :

I used to own part of a small chain of flyshops in Colorado. KU is right, big difference- but the value is very situation dependendt. If you are not sight fishing bass, I would guess it is not as critical. When fishing trout/salmon in streams or flats fishing in salt you have a much better chance of spotting fish, therefore you usually see the fish first before you cast. In this situation a person can tell a difference between high end glass and a laminate.

the best way polarization was explained to me was they work like tiny levelour blinds <you know the kind- you can pull a string and they can get pretty dark or pull it the other way and the blinds let light in> that is what is in the lenses or coating. They allow light from the top but block all light coming to the glass from an angle from below (blocks reflection coming up from the water). This allows you to look into the water with less glare.

most high end glass is comparble in quality with some exceptions. OAKLEYS ARE THE WORST HIGH END GLASSES I HAVE EVER USED.

My .02 good luck to all.

Different strokes for different folks- thats what makes this crazy world go round!

bass109 reply :

Strike king has great ones. ;D Polarized sunglasses help you alot to see the fish and structure.

bassdocktor reply :

I have a nice pair of the Solar Bats, but unfortunately they discontinued my model. They are part of an interchangable lens system. They are very nice, except you need to be careful with them because certain lens may feel loose. In reality they are not at all loose.

Kendammit reply :

hey guys, new here...sorry to be digging up an older post.

I've been thinking about new glasses myself, but after reading the article posted by New_Bass_Man, I think I'll stick to buying those from wal-mart. My amber Renegades work well, I was just thinking of a darker pair for brighter days, glad I found this discussion.

bass master reply :

I had some cheap ones now I just got some Cocoons. The Cocoons have much better lenses and are way more comfortable.

bassackwards reply :

anyone tried the mossy oak sunglasses? supposively their mossy oak green is their best color to see into the water.

if anyone has used them, how much do they go for? and what do you think about them?

MoBassFishN reply :

Quote
hey guys, new here...sorry to be digging up an older post.
I've been thinking about new glasses myself, but after reading the article posted by New_Bass_Man, I think I'll stick to buying those from wal-mart. My amber Renegades work well, I was just thinking of a darker pair for brighter days, glad I found this discussion.

I Wish they would have done a test on the polarization. I know that it is extremely innexpensive to block UV, but the polarization is the issue that has escaped me. Do the cheap glasses with the sitck on polarization work as well as the more expensive glasses with the polarization built within the lense?

Hillbilly_Hooker reply :

I love my Oakleys and I wouldn't leave home without them!!! I drive a ton (1,000 miles a week) with my job and I often wear my Oakleys all day long. My eyes don't get fatigued and I don't get headaches like I sometimes do with the cheap sunglasses. Oakleys claim to be optically perfect, no distortions. The polarization allows me to see way better when I'm on the water fishing. Another plus, at my age, to wearing sunglasses is that they give me a platform to mount my magnifier glasses to so that I can still tie small lines 8)

strick9 reply :

I have had a pair of Maui Jim's for a couple years and really like them. I too use the bronze (amber) colored lenses. Here is an option for those of you that wear glasses and even if you don't. www.sportbrimz.com

Madhouse27 reply :

I have a pair of cheap Renegade wrap arounds that must be part of their World Wrestling Federation line. I got them at WalMart when I was in a pinch and they've actually made it through this season in pretty good shape. The best ones I've ever owned were a pair of amber lensed Costa Del Mar shades that just seemed to light up the bottom. They were great but really pricey. There's gotta be a happy medium out there in the fifty dollar range.

Dyas reply :

Im with ya on the Renagades. Had mine for 2 years and I got out weed eating with em yesterday and a rock flew up and knocked a chip out. Got some Strike King's and I am realy pleased with them. They are light and they have great polarization.......

Ben reply :

I like my Mauie Jims I got at BPS. Granted though not everyone wants to dish out $180 for a pair of sunglasses. However, I would not recommend cheap sunglasses either, they can actually be more harmfull to your eyes than not having any on.

As someone mentioned, not all polarized glasses are created equal. Bassmaster's had an article about them a while back, both guys in a boat had on good polarized glasses, one could see a nice big bass on the bed and the other couldn't, they swapped glasses and both could see it. Pointing out even in good glasses, different polarizations work different for different people. Recommendation was to try them before you buy them. With the cheap glasses, it doesn't matter, they all just have a polarized film stuck over them and they all pretty much work the same, about half***.

To answer ones question do cheap polarized work as well as expensive one, no shape form or fashion. There is a world of difference in the polarization between cheap and high quality lenses. There are many ways of polarizing a leans, cheap lens use the cheapest methods and just barely rate as polarized. When you try a few of the high quality lenses against the cheap lenses you will readily see the differences. I've got a set of $90 RayBans I keep in the boat as spares and there's noticable difference between them and the Maui Jim's. I used those until I tried a set of MJ's.

Kendammit reply :

I'm sorry but I just can't buy that you need to spend 100+ dollars to be able to see fish in the water and to protect you from water glare. Better be some good scientific testing and not some sponsored guy saying it before I spend that much

jcrazy reply :

has anyone used Hobie glasses?

Grey Wolf reply :

Check out the LURE-EYES sunglasses for 120.00 at www.lureeyes.com.

IneedAnewScreenName-93875 reply :

I agree with Glenn (on the LureEyes)

I have 2 pairs. The first pair I have had now for over 4 years.

They weigh less than an ounce and are very, very durable. So durable that I have worn them fishing, driving on long trips (15 plus hours), and played pool volleyball several hundred times.

For the $100 plus dollars invested, I'm down to a cost of about $25.00 per year so far. I think that's pretty cheap sunglasses.

I bought my second pair on ebay for about $45.00

http://www.lureeyes.com

Max-in-Mn reply :

Hey, what the?? Last time I checked the Lure eyes were $89 for each pair..I better get some quick I guess!

AZ_IDontFishEnuf reply :

A while back I bought some polarized glasses at Costco Wholesale that I really like. They're fairly inexpensive, and the frames are very light and have a cheap feeling to them, but the lenses are the best for the money that I've found.

They're made by UVEX, and the exact model name I can't remember. They come with 3 different colors of lenses, all of which I've found useful in different situations.

They were about $25 when I bought them.

boneman reply :

i've got a pair of solar bat's with moss green lenses and a pair of bolle's with amber and i find i see alot more underwater under all conditions with the bolle's even though the solar bat's were marketed especially for sight fishing.

boneman

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